Maryland Trooper Shoots And Kills Man Wanted In Two States

Police say the trooper was not seriously injured in the incident. (Courtesy of Maryland State Police)

Maryland State Police say a man, who was wanted on multiple charges in both Maryland and in Delaware, was shot and killed by a trooper early Thursday in Cecil County.

Police say Trooper Michael Cox was on patrol near Elkton around 1:30 Thursday morning when he spotted a car, a Dodge Durango, that matched up with the vehicle that he knew was being used by 41-year-old Anthony A. Hammond, Jr.

Hammond was wanted in Maryland on 8 criminal charges, according to police.

Police say when Trooper Cox began following the Durango, the car's driver turned off his lights and sped off. The driver, later identified as Hammond, drove about a mile to the 300-block Willow Drive, before hitting a parked car and bailing out of his vehicle.

As Trooper Cox began chasing Hammond on foot, he saw him kick in the door of a townhouse and run inside. Trooper Cox followed him, and with his weapon drawn, shouted several warnings to Hammond that he surrender. Instead, Hammond allegedly turned and ran toward the trooper in an attempt to get his gun. That's when State Police say Trooper Cox fired, hitting Hammond in his upper body. Hammond was declared dead at the scene, according to police.

Investigators say Hammond had apparently beenstaying at that townhouse along with his sister and her family. Police say there were six other people in the house at the time of the incident, and a number of them said they heard the trooper give Hammond several verbal commands before the shooting.

An eight-year state police veteran, TFC Cox has been placed on routine administrative leave pending investigation.

Police say Hammond was wanted in Maryland on multiple warrants including three failure to appear bench warrants, as well as warrants for theft, credit card offenses, attempting to elude police and telephone misuse/harassment. He was also driving on a revoked driver's license and wanted on multiple warrants for criminal charges in Delaware.